Press Conferences

Mainichi Shimbun, Murao: Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a comment protesting a Republic of Korea (ROK) news website report on discharging ALPS treated water into the sea. Since then, the same media continues to publish reports about the IAEA report on the discharge of ALPS treated water, and so on. What is MOFA’s view of this situation? Can you please tell us again if MOFA plans to take any action if the reports contain factual errors?

Ms. ONO Hikariko, Press Secretary: MOFA’s position on the referred media report is as stated in the press release issued on June 22.

In any case, we consider the spread of such malicious disinformation to be a threat to freedom, democracy, and other universal values upon which our society is built. The Government of Japan remains strongly opposed to such irresponsible disinformation.

With regard to the safety of discharging ALPS treated water into the sea, the Government of Japan will continue to provide explanations based on scientific evidence in a courteous and highly transparent manner, and continue to make efforts to further deepen the understanding of the international community.

As for the IAEA report, the Government of Japan is not in a position to comment on the document prepared under the IAEA’s responsibility.

Kyodo News, Katsurada: I have a question related to the recovery of Ukraine. Some Japanese companies that attended last week’s Ukraine Recovery Conference in London have said that, with Ukraine being at war, little information is available about the local situation, which makes it difficult to decide to invest at this time. Does MOFA have any policies including providing information on the local situation and other matters to companies that are considering businesses in Ukraine?

Press Secretary Ono: The Japanese public and private sectors intend to strongly support the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine by making use of the knowledge gained through Japan’s reconstruction from natural disasters and other events, while taking into account the discussions held at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, the exchange of views at the Ukraine-Japan Public-Private Roundtable conducted after the conference, the discussions at the Council on Preparation for Promotion of Ukraine’s Economic Reconstruction, and other discussions.

At the same time, it is also true that conducting trade and investment with Ukraine during wartime involves certain risks for the private sector.

The Government of Japan fully recognizes these risks. The Government will review how information on the local situation and other matters can be provided as well as how business with Ukraine can be conducted appropriately in light of the local situation, all the while maintaining close communication with the private sector. In doing so, we will continue to work with the Ukrainian side as well to ensure a safe environment suitable for doing business with Ukraine.

Yomiuri Shimbun, Tanikawa: I would like to ask about the Japan-U.S. Extended Deterrence Dialogue. According to MOFA’s press release, the two sides discussed the importance of trilateral and multilateral cooperation to strengthen deterrence. Does this mean that the two sides have a Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral extended deterrence dialogue in mind?

Press Secretary Ono: During the Japan-U.S. Extended Deterrence Dialogue held at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri from June 26 to 27, local time, Japan and the United States discussed the importance of trilateral and multilateral cooperation to strengthen deterrence.

Given that this matter concerns the security of Japan and involves the United States, I would like to refrain from giving any further details on this dialogue.

Generally speaking, Japan considers that Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral cooperation, including security cooperation, is important amidst the increasingly severe security environment.

Jiji Press, Ueda: I have a question about the Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit Meeting. According to some reports, the meeting is to be held in Washington as early as the end of August. Could you please tell us if the reports are true and about the arrangements that have been made at this time?

Press Secretary Ono: While we are aware of the reports, there is nothing decided at this time.